Love Again? Chapter 5: A Sore Sight, a mortal instruments fanfic

Merged Chapter #2

-o-

Clary POV

Clary shuts her locker and walks towards her class. On the way she thinks about Sebastian Verlac. Clary's boyfriend. She still can't get over the shock of her first boyfriend who is: a) sweet b) smart and c) HOT. He's perfect. Clary's mind was so high on cloud 9, that she didn't notice another person until she runs into him. She feels as if she's run into into a brick wall, and then falling. She waits for the pain, but it never comes. A pair of strong arms wrap around her waist before she can hit the ground. Sebastain? Nope. Jace. He lets go of her so fast that she stumbles back a little.

"Whoa, didn't see you there. Sorry." He bends over to pick up her bag and sketchbook. He hands them to her awkwardly. "So. How have you been?"

Clary smirks. "Jace, I saw you yesterday. I doubt much has changed." She grins when his cheeks turn pink. "I'm kidding! You don't have to take everything I say seriously!" She shoves his shoulder.

"Something could've changed." He shrugs.

"Hey, are you okay?" Yesterday, he was clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles were turning an unhealthy shade of white. Now, he's unusually quiet.

He rolls his eyes and grins. "Clary, that's the second time you've asked me this week. I wish you'd stop trying to get my attention, it's becoming embarrassing."

Okay, maybe he is fine. Clary widens her eyes with shock. "Wow. Maybe something has changed!"

Jace looks confused.

She smirks. "You used to be arrogant and obnoxious. Now you're just opposite. You're obnoxious and arrogant."

Jace just grins and gives a slight bow. "Glad to be of service." He winks.

Clary feels her cheeks heat up, but she grins and rolls her eyes. "Are you still coming over for movie night?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Clary is expecting another wink, but all she gets is sincerity. The bell rings, and they head off in different directions.

Clary feels excited all of a sudden. It's going to be like old times again. She's always wondered what had pushed them apart to begin with.

-o-o-o-o-

Jace POV

Jace walks over to Clary's house, but stops short when he notices another car in her driveway. He jogs to her front door and turns the doorknob. Unlocked. I wonder who's here. Then, he hears a girls scream and a noise that sounded like crying. He runs up the stairs towards Clary's room. As he gets closer, he hears, "Sebastian! Stop!" Then more screaming and crying. Sebastian Verlac. What is he doing to Clary? Is he hitting her or even- no he won't think that. He wouldn't dare. NOT to my Clary. He runs faster and throws the door open.

He's never regretted something so badly in his entire life. They're on her bed with Sebastian on top of Clary; she's only wearing a bra and underwear, and Sebastian is shirtless. He appears to be tickling her. She's laughing not crying. Jace mentally kicks himself. Damn it, Jace. Damn it.

Sebastian climbs off of Clary and she sits up confused. She's still giggling, but stops when she sees Jace. She looks pissed. "Hey, Sebastian can you go to the living room? I'll follow." He nods and kisses Clary longer than he had to. He bends over and picks up his shirt. As he walks out of the room, he smirks as he passes me. Jace feels the sudden urge to punch his pale face, finally adding color to it.

He focuses on Clary. She's too mad to even cover her body. She walks right up to him. Her face is very red as she waits for Sebastian to shut the door. When he does, she practically explodes. "What the hell?! What are you doing here?!"

Jace is having trouble focusing. The girl who he's known since forever, who was pretty, and a foot shorter than him was standing in front of him nearly naked. His face burns red. "Um. Movie night. Remember?"

Clary looks like she's about to reply sharply, but she just stops and sighs. "Oh, God. You're right. I'm so sorry Jace! It just totally slipped my mind. Then, Sebastian made a visit and I just lost track of time." She rambles on and on until her lower lip trembles and she eventually starts crying. She sobs muttering "What kind of best friend am I?" Friend. That word made him shudder.

"Clare, its okay. We can still watch tonight if you want." Please say yes, please say yes. She nods, wiping her face. She stands on her tiptoes and puts her arms around his neck. She buries her face onto his shoulder. Jace is completely startled by this, but his arms go automatically around her soft waist. He tries to keep his mind off the fact that his arms are around her bare waste and his hands are on her bare back. She hugs him tighter, still sniffling. She's so soft. He can feel her heart beating steadily. She smells like her usual apples and strawberries, but there's a new smell on her, Sebastian's cologne. Jace ignores that and rubs her back comfortingly. His fingers brush her bra clasp and his heart begins to beat fast. She breathes in sharply and lets go of him.

She clears her throat. "You go ahead downstairs. I'll just, um, you know change." Jace nods and leaves her room. When she shuts the door he grins to himself, but he still can't shake the feeling of her warm skin off his arms.

He walks downstairs to the living room where Sebastian is sitting. He sneers. "Sorry you had to see that. I know how much it pains you." He has a mischievous look in his eyes. "Everyone knows how much you love Clary. Well, everyone except her."

Jace clenches his fists. "That's not t-"

Sebastian's harsh laugh interrupts him. "No point in denying it. I can't blame you though; she really is a fine piece of work. Sadly, for you, I was able to snag her before you." He laughs again.

"You shut the hell up! You can't talk about her like she's your property! You better not hurt her or I swear I will-"

Clary's voice cuts through Jace's threat. "Hey, I heard yelling. You guys alright?" She walks in wearing a t-shirt, shorts and a face full of concern.

Jace quickly responds. "Yeah. I'm just going teaching your boyfriend a thing or two from Sex-Ed." That shut her up immediately. Her face turned a pretty shade of pink. When she gets over her shock she leads Sebastian to the front door, and out of Jace's sight. He eavesdrops.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Clary's voice sounds so sweet.

"Okay. Goodnight, Clary." He hears silence and assumes they're kissing. After several minutes, he hears a slight moan and a groan following. Jace was going to get sick. He clears his throat loudly. The noise stops immediately.

"Goodnight, Sebastian." He hears the door shut and quietly runs to the couch to sit. Clary walks into the living room leaning on the side of the entrance. Jace notices that her lips are slightly swollen. "Do you need a cough drop? You were coughing awfully loudly." She smirks.

"No. I'm fine. I just felt throw up coming up my throat for some weird reason, but I'm fine now, thanks." Clary moistens her swollen lips, looking around at everything, but him.

"Well, are we going to watch or not?" She turns and runs up to her room without waiting for his response. They usually watched in her room; it had a king sized bed and a flat screen TV. Jace grins and follows her up the stairs.

-o-

Clary POV

Clary's thoughts keep on drifting to what Sebastian had said to Jace. The conversation that they had on Friday had been far from pleasant.

-o-o-o-o-

"Sorry you had to see that. I know how much it pains you. Everyone knows how much you love Clary. Well, everyone except her."

"That's not t-"

Sebastian's harsh laugh interrupts him. "No point in denying it. I can't blame you though; she really is a fine piece of work. Sadly, for you, I was able to snag her before you." He laughs again.

"You shut the hell up! You can't talk about her like she's your property! You better not hurt her or I swear I will-"

Clary steps in before they can do any physical damage. "Hey, I heard yelling. You guys alright?" She walks in, her face a mask of concern.

-o-o-o-o-

She has never been so confused in her entire life. Since when did Jace like her, even love her? Well he did love her, but in what way was Sebastian talking about? That had her thinking the entire weekend and now it was Monday. She was going to have to face them again.

"Hello? Earth to Clary. Hon, are you okay?"

Clary looks at her mom, her eyes glazed. She blinks a couple times. "Hmm?"

"I asked if you're okay; you're kinda hurting your pancakes." Jocelyn gestures towards her pancakes, which were cut into tiny pieces.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine, really." She lets a nervous laugh.

Jocelyn looks at her suspiciously. "Are you pregnant? Because if you are, then you can always tel-"

"NONONO. There is nothing wrong and I am NOT pregnant!" Clary's eyes widen into saucers. She shoves pancake into her mouth before her mom can ask anymore questions.

"Oh, Jace is driving you to school. I have an art display. The museum loved my art and decided to add it to their art collection on display. We're discussing the celebration for tomorrow night."

Clary nods mutely. Okay. I'm riding in the car of my best friend who apparently loves me.

Jocelyn looks at Clary strangely, but continues. "I'm inviting the Lightwoods. And you will be needing a date."

Clary nods again.

"I've gotta go, hon. I'll see you later!" Her mom stands up and walks to the door leading to the garage.

Clary stares at her pulverized pancakes. This is the first time she doesn't want to ride with Jace. Maybe he loves me like a sister, not as something more. She sighs, it sounds like she's trying to convince herself. She angrily shoves the rest of her breakfast into her mouth and dumps the plate in the sink. Why am I so bothered by the thought of Jace loving me? I love him, but in a platonic/friendship way. I'm dating Sebastian anyway. Would she date Jace if she wasn't dating Sebastian? Maybe, maybe not. His golden eyes and lean muscle were sorta tempt- NO. I'm dating Sebastian. I like Sebastian.

Shaking her head, she threw on her backpack and grabbed her sketchbook. Thinking about the Jace/Sebastian conversation, she realized that something Sebastian had said really bothered her. "I can't blame you though; she really is a fine piece of work." Jace had been quick to defend her. From what? That's a compliemnt, sort of. Clary felt chills roll down her spine as she remembered the sound of his harsh laugh.

She walked through her front door and out to the cold, April morning air. Jace's black Chrysler or whatever he calls it is waiting in his driveway. He sees her and motions for her to hurry up. Clary rolls her eyes, but jogs over to his car and throws open the passenger seat door. She slides in and shuts the door.

Jace glares at her. "Don't throw open the door so hard! You're gonna break it!"

"I'm SO sorry, Jace. I wouldn't want to hurt your pride and joy." Her voice thick with sarcasm.

Jace grins and starts the car. Clary leans over to turn on the radio. "You're listening to Z100, New York's number one hit music station. We're back to: the Best of 2008. This is "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat." A guitar starts to strum:

Do you hear me, I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy, I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been-

Clary abruptly changes the station.

"Hey! I liked that song!" Jace's persistent voice insists. Clary just rolls her eyes and scrolls through radio stations. She finally finds Lite FM. There was a loud electronic song playing. Perfect! It'll avoid any conversations with Jace. She began nodding her head to the pulsing beat.

We're the f***ing animals.(x3)

"And that was Martin Garrix's 'Animals'. Next up is 'Rather Be' by Clean Bandit, on Lite FM." Clary lets out a squeal and turns the music up . She loves this song!

We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be
I would wait forever, exalted in the scene
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

[Pre-Chorus:]
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, get you another name
Switch up the batteries.

The song is so catchy that even Jace begins to sing along. By the chorus they were singing at the top of their lungs.

[Chorus:]
If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be [3x]

Clary dances in her seat singing and laughing. Jace starts laughing too, but he manages to stay on the road. He shakes his head, grinning.

[Verse 2:]
We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be

[Pre-Chorus:]
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, get you another name
Switch up the batteries

Jace's car is on the street of their school. They have a minute to finish the song. 60. 59...58...57...

[Bridge:]
Hmmmmmmmmmm, hoooooooooo
Be [9x]
Yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah, yeah, yeah

He's turning to the school parking lot. 48...47...46...

Jace begins to weave past cars to find a parking spot. 24...23...22...

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be...

When the song finishes, Jace finds a parking spot. Clary turns to him panting heavily and her cheeks obviously red. He looks at her , his cheeks also flushed and they just lose it.

"We-(gasp)-sounded so-(gasp)-amazing!" Clary gasps in between laughing. That makes Jace laugh even harder.

Jace manages to respond, "American Idol-(gasp)-here-(gasp)-we-(gasp)-come!" Clary's eyes water and tears soon run down her face, but she's still laughing. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding.

-o-o-o-o-

History class with Mr. Starkweather feels longer that usual. She sighs. I have a class with Sebastian next. Come on. Hurry UP! As if it sensed her impatience, the bell rings signaling the next period. Clary grabs her books and practically runs to her next class, Art.

As she reaches the open door, she slows her pace trying to look casual. Her heart was beating so hard. She's going to ask him to be her date, no biggie. You got this, Fray.

But all her confidence shatters when she sees Seelie Queen sitting close next to Sebastian. Why did it have to be Seelie, not some other slut? Seelie was a slut, but she was the sluttiest of them all. She's wearing a tight red mini-skirt and an even tighter black tank top (that was so low that her boobs were practically spilling out). They were talking and he had his arm draped around her chair. He seemed oblivious to the fact that Seelie was flirting with him, but if he knew he showed no sign of it. Clary walks over to Sebastian, trying not to looked pissed. They've been dating for over a year, but he could be cheating on Clary? NO. I will not think of that as a possibility. Thankfully there isn't a teacher in the room.

Sebastian sees her coming, but doesn't shift from his position. He throws her a carefree smile. "Hey, Clary." Maybe he is oblivious. He turns to Seelie. "I'll talk to you later." Seelie stands from the chair and walks over to another where her stuff is.

Clary sits taking the spot where Seelie had been. She looks at Sebastian. "Is she something I have to worry about?" She tries to sound teasing, but it comes out tense. Clary cringes.

Sebastian gently laughs. It's a beautiful, musical laugh. He leans close to her and looks her right in the eye. "You have nothing to worry about." He kisses her so sweetly, but its a quick kiss.

Okay. Here goes nothing. "I was wondering if you'll go as my date to my mother's painting-display after-party? It's more of a gala than a party." She nervously laughs. "It's tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Can you make it?"

Sebastian looks pained. "I'm sorry, but my family is having a family dinner with Aline's family. I'm so sorry!" He sounds like he really means it.

Clary bites her lip. I'm going to be the only one without a date. She puts on a smile. "Yeah it's fine, really." But she can't help, but feel the sinking feeling in her stomach.

-o-